New Delhi, May 22 (IANS): The BJP on Friday asked the Congress to clarify on a news portal's allegation that the UPA government bent rules to enhance Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) highway project, and whether monetary benefits reached its senior ministers of time and officers.

The Bharatiya Janata Party also asked the Congress if the benefits of the alleged scam reached party vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

"Silence over the serious charges made by 'Cobra Post' revelation - taking the names of senior Congress leaders and former ministers Kamal Nath and P. Chidambaram along with the officers in ex-PMO - indicated a cover-up," BJP spokesperson M.J. Akbar said at a press conference.

This needs clarification from the party over the role of Gandhi in the scam, he added.

"How was the gift of the NDA-ruled GQ Project converted to Rs.40,000-plus project by changing norms in violation of all rules in order to satisfy relations between Congress leaders and some crony contractors and crony capitalists?" Akbar asked.

Whether it reached the top Congress leadership, including Gandhi, which is why the party is keeping silent, asked Akbar.

The Congress must answer the questions being raised, the BJP spokesperson said.

Akbar said his party would wait and watch and would go ahead with its demand to set up an inquiry if it feels necessary.

Earlier in the day, news portal 'Cobra Post' came out with its investigation, charging the erstwhile UPA government with serious bending of rules in the GQ highway project to suit selected contractors and monetary benefits to several of its senior ministers and officers.